In mountain biking the brakes are possibly one of the three most important components of the bike, along with tires and drivetrain. It is no coincidence that the most significant technological advances in brakes were first tested on mountain bikes, such as disc brakes. Innovations that have ended up spreading to other cycling disciplines, such as road or cyclocross. Investing in good brakes is one of the first recommendations we can give you in this regard. If you have to cut costs, it is better to do so with other components that are less crucial for handling the bike or your safety (wheel material, peripherals, accessories, etc). Because having a reliable braking system already improves the bike’s performance by itself. And if you know how to use it skillfully and wisely, even better. But it’s not just about having the right brakes, but also—and especially—knowing how to use them correctly. When is it necessary to brake hard? How should you approach braking on a descent? How should the front brake be used? Mastering braking technique in mountain biking will help you gain an edge on the most demanding trails, improving your results and performance. In addition, you’ll avoid a good number of scares, mishaps, or falls.
How to adjust and operate the brake levers
Before giving you advice on braking technique, it is important that the levers are well positioned in relation to the handlebar. As a general rule, it is recommended to tilt them below the handlebar, allowing the forearm, wrist, hand, and fingers to be stretched in a straight line. In addition, you need to adjust the reach of the lever. That is, the distance between the lever and the grip. Many current mid- and high-end brakes already have a quick adjustment dial to regulate this. If not, they have a bolt to move it forward or backward. Finally, make sure that the lever’s mounting position on the handlebar is appropriate to allow you to operate the brake without straining your fingers or wrist. In this article from Solo Bici you can see in more detail how to adjust the lever in three steps.
Rear lever
A good adjustment of the position and inclination of the lever will allow you to operate the brake with more strength and precision, modulating the power according to the needs of the terrain. The rear brake will be the guiding one, the one that regulates speed and controls the movement of the bike.
The rear brake is for controlling the bike, not for stopping it
This is the brake that should be used the most, always in a controlled and not abrupt manner, to avoid skidding. The rear brake is essential for controlling your line in corners and reducing speed before entering them, at obstacles or jumps. It is the control brake, not the one that stops the bike.
Front lever
The front brake is less progressive, more abrupt, and generally has a bit more power than the rear brake. It is responsible for stopping the bike and acts more as the main or safety brake. It is also the only one capable of counteracting the bike's inertia, especially if it is strong. Therefore, if you use it, we recommend doing so gently and progressively, never abruptly or harshly, to avoid the front wheel from locking suddenly and your body, along with the rest of the bike, flipping over the locked wheel and causing a spectacular fall, or the wheel itself slipping if the terrain is slippery or muddy.
The front brake should always be pressed gently and gradually
Another of the most frequent situations for using the front brake is to control strong inertia on descents and prevent the bike from getting out of control and you from veering off the line or even off the trail.
In what situations should you not brake?
As a general tip, we recommend that you do not overuse the brake. Modern mountain bikes have a design and geometry intended to let the rider control strong inertia through their own movement and handling. Normally, when facing a steep descent or drop, it is best to use the brake before reaching the tricky section, release it, and let the bike go down without braking. The bike will do its job, as will the tire knobs, to get through the difficulty in a controlled way. Other frequent situations in which you should not use your mountain bike brakes are the following:
Inside a curve
You should brake before entering it. Only if you feel you have deviated from your line should you use the rear brake. If that's not enough, gently—but not excessively—apply the front brake, but only in exceptional cases. More important than braking is to move or lean your body to guide the bike along the correct line.
On obstacles or rocks
When passing over roots, stones, rocks, potholes, or other similar obstacles, braking should always be done beforehand, using the rear brake to adjust your speed for the obstacle. Never brake in the middle of the obstacle. The terrain is irregular and unstable and could cause both wheels to skid, making you lose control of the bike and your balance.
When crossing rivers or puddles
It is common to see bikers stuck in the middle of a puddle or stream because they didn't know how to cross it properly or braked in the middle of the water. You shouldn't brake at the riverbank either. The best thing, as in the previous points, is to slightly moderate your speed and cross without slowing down too much, pedaling smoothly and decisively.
In sandbanks
A sudden stop in the middle of a sandbank can have two consequences: getting stuck and bogged down or causing one of the wheels to slip, losing control, and even falling. That’s why it’s better to brake moderately before the section, without stopping, grip the handlebars firmly, and guide the bike along the side with less sand concentration, creating a groove that allows you to get through it quickly and without losing balance.
Main risks of improper braking
2017/07/accidente-bicicleta.jpg"> Behind a bad stop is 80% of falls in mountain biking. Approaching a curve too late to brake, braking in the middle of rocks, obstacles or similar, or squeezing the front brake hard are very common causes of falls, which in some cases can be serious. Besides falls, very intense and sometimes unnecessary use of the brakes accelerates tire wear and causes brake tension to be lost faster. In the case of disc brakes, they can overheat, losing bite if you don’t cool them, while the braking surface of the pads wears out more quickly.
The importance of good maintenance
To always get the best performance from your brakes and make sure they don’t fail you at the most critical moments, you should at least do a visual inspection of their most important parts every month. Levers, cables and housings, pads, and the condition of the discs are the points to check during the inspection. Also, if you notice a loss of power, especially if the lever feels less responsive, it’s possible that the brake cable is not properly tensioned in the case of mechanical brakes, or that a brake fluid replacement is needed for hydraulic systems. This bleeding should be done at least once a year, or sooner if you ride more radical MTB like trail or enduro. It’s important to know how and when to check your bike’s brakes to avoid scares and falls.